Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library’s Read, Eat, and Discuss (R.E.A.D.) Middle Grade Book Club for children, ages 9-12, will meet on Friday, November 7, 2014, in the Turrentine Room from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Participants will discuss Secrets of the Book. The novel’s author, Erin Fry, will be present at the event to answer questions about her book and writing process. A limited number of copies of Secrets of the Book will be available for checkout at the Children’s Desk beginning on Monday, October 13, 2014.

Spencer’s mother forces him to visit a nursing home each week, where he befriends Ed, an elderly resident. Soon after entrusting Spencer with Pandora’s Book, Ed mysteriously disappears. In this vivid fantasy novel, sixth-grader Spencer Lemon, a young boy with rapidly failing eyesight, finds himself the unwitting guardian of Pandora’s Book, a magical tome that brings famous historical figures back to life. It’s up to the tween and his friends to figure out how to properly use the book and keep it out of the hands of evil doers. Fans of The 39 Clues series and Dan Gutman’s Genius Files will eagerly swoop up Fry’s fast-paced tale.

Youth Services Librarian Lalitha Nataraj said, “The Youth Services’ Department is thrilled to have Ms. Fry come to the Library and directly engage children on the topics of books and reading—this is a wonderful opportunity that underscores the uniqueness and fun of the R.E.A.D Book Club program.”

The next R.E.A.D. Middle Grade Book Club meeting will be on Friday, February 6, 2015, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Turrentine Room. Readers will discuss Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke.

Library programs, events, and services are free and open to the public. Programs are sponsored by Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street in Escondido. For information about the R.E.A.D. Middle Grade Book Club, contact Youth Services Librarian Lalitha Nataraj at 760-839-5458 or at lnataraj@escondido.org. Additional information about the Library’s programs for children of all ages can be found at library.escondido.org.

Escondido City Clerk Diane Halverson reminds residents that Monday, October 20 is the last day to register to vote in the General Municipal Election to be held November 4, 2014.

During regular business hours, you may register at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters or online at www.sdvote.org. Registration cards are available at the City Clerk’s Office during regular business hours.

If you have moved, changed your name (due to marriage or court order), or wish to change your party affiliation since the last election, you must re-register no later than midnight, Monday, October 20.

If you have any questions concerning voter registration, please contact the Registrar of Voters Office at 858-565-5800, or the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, 760-839-4617.

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library invites children and families to celebrate Dia delos Muertos, Day of the Dead, on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in the Turrentine Room. Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican celebration that commemorates loved ones who have passed away through music, stories, and crafts. An altar will be set up to honor the lives of departed loved ones so please bring a picture or memento that can be included. Senior Youth Services Librarian Cindi Bouvier commented, “The Escondido community loves this event and many families attend to remember their loved ones.”

Library programs, events, and services are free and open to the public. Programs are sponsored by Friends of the Escondido Public Library. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street in Escondido. For information about this program, please contact Cindi Bouvier, Senior Youth Services Librarian, at 760-839-4827 or at cbouvier@escondido.org. Additional information about the Library’s programs for children of all ages can be found at library.escondido.org.

The Public Hearing appealing the Planning Commission decision regarding the Immigration Facility previously scheduled for October 22, 2014 has been rescheduled to October 15, 2014 per City Council direction at its September 24th meeting.

Escondido, CA – Escondido Public Library is now offering free online access to over a 100 popular magazines through Zinio for Libraries. From Newsweek, to Runner’s World, Rolling Stone, to Forbes, get cover-to-cover popular magazines online at no cost using the library’s newest service. Zinio is convenient and easy to use, providing users access to magazines from any location by using their computer, tablet, mobile device, or eReader. Zinio magazines remain checked-out to users and can be accessed again and again. Zinio magazines do not have due dates, which means that magazines are available to all users any time, and can be kept indefinitely. The Zinio display allows users to organize their magazines, bookmark favorite articles and select back issues.

Anyone with an Escondido Public Library card, an email address, and a computer or mobile device with Internet access can sign up for Zinio through the Library website at http://library.escondido.org/zinio. A step by step guide to signing up is available on the website.. For additional guidance on Zinio, call Digital Services Librarian, Viktor Sjöberg, at 760-839-4828.

Library programs, events, and services are free and open to the public. The Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street in Escondido. For general questions, contact the library at 760-839-4684 or visit our website library.escondido.org.

Escondido, CA - Rincón Literario (The Literary Corner), Escondido Public Library’s Bilingual Book Discussion Group, will meet on Saturday, October 25, 2014, from 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. in the Turrentine Room. Attendees discuss the book in both English and Spanish, enabling them to enjoy great literature while polishin” both their English- and Spanish-language skills. El angel perdido/Lost Angel, by Javier Sierra, is the selected book for October.

In approximately seventy-two hours, a little-known Middle Eastern terrorist group plans to bring about the end of the world. Convinced that they are the descendants of angels and on the verge of at last returning to heaven, they kidnap scientist Martin Faber, whose research has uncovered an extraordinary secret. Martin’s only hope for survival is the rare psychic gift of his young wife. Julia Alvarez must find the courage to save her husband while running from religious extremists and clandestine government agencies.

Javier Sierra takes readers on an exhilarating international adventure, from the summit of legendary Mount Ararat to the high desert of New Mexico, from the monuments ofWashington, D.C., to the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This is a spine-tingling apocalyptic thriller set in real-world locations and based on well-researched mythology and scientific facts.

Book Club facilitator, Miriam Ruvinskis, commented, “Rincón Literario affords participants an opportunity to practice their English and Spanish language skills and pronunciation in a supportive environment, while they enjoy immersing themselves in great literature from around the world. They acquire language skills effortlessly as they share lively and engaging discussions on selected books with their fellow participants.”

Rincón Literario meets regularly on the last Saturday of the month to explore literature published in English and Spanish. On November, 29, 2014, readers will discuss Y las montanas hablaron/And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.

Rincón Literario is made possible by generous support from Friends of the Escondido Public Library. This program is free and open to the public. For more information about future RincónLiterario selections and other Library programs, visit library.escondido.org or call Paul Crouthamel, Adult Services Librarian, at 760-839-4814.

This Friday, October 3, 2014, is the final night of Cruisin’ Grand also known as “Nitro Night.” “Nitro Night” has traditionally drawn up to 20,000 spectators with some car clubs traveling from outside the County and the State. The vehicles that will be featured on Friday night are dragsters that run on nitrous oxide. Due to the special nature of this event, Grand Ave. will be closed from Escondido Blvd. to Ivy Street in both directions. The duration of the closure will 2 – 10 p.m.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area of El Norte Parkway and Valley Parkway while San Diego Gas and Electric crews work to repair a natural gas line leak. The Escondido Fire Department has unlocked the fire gates at Hidden Trails to help relieve traffic congestion for residents living there. They will be closed again once repairs are completed. No estimate is available yet as to when the work will be completed.

A no-cost College and Career Fair will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on levels 2 and 3 at Westfield North County mall, 272 East Via Rancho Parkway. Representatives from over 100 colleges and universities will be on hand to provide information to students and their parents about entrance requirements, application deadlines, and majors. Representatives also will be there for those interested in community college, trade school, certification programs, or military service.

Recognizing that a well-educated workforce is essential to Escondido’s prosperity, a wide range of organizations are sponsoring the fair: our presenting sponsor Mission Federal Credit Union, in collaboration with Cal State University San Marcos Extended Studies, City of Escondido, Escondido Chamber of Commerce, Escondido Union High School District, John Paul the Great Catholic University, Palomar College GEAR UP Partnership Program, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District and Westfield North County.

The first 2,500 attendees will receive a complimentary tote filled with gifts. The bags can be obtained near the mall entrance by Tavern Bowl on level 2. The Dining Court Patio will transform into a “College Lounge” for the day and current college students will be on hand to share their experiences about campus life with prospective students.

For more information, please visit: collegeandcareerfair.escondido.org

Escondido, CA - Escondido Public Library presents the Filipino-American Cultural Organization (FACO) Dance Group on Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Turrentine Room. The FACO Dance Group promotes an appreciation and celebration of Filipino culture by performing classic Filipino dances in colorful, traditional costumes.

This event is a highlight of Escondido Public Library’s partnership with KPBS to promote 2014’s One Book, One San Diego selection, Monstress, by author Lysley Tenorio, a San Diego native. Monstress describes the Filipino experience through a series of heartfelt short stories.

The FACO Dance Group shares their talent, serving as ambassadors for Filipino culture through dance. Their performance includes traditional Filipino dances such as "Bulaklakan" and “Tinikling.” The Bulaklakan is the dance of flowers, usually done during the month of May in the Philippines when flowers traditionally bloom. In the Tinikling, dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed as they dance between a pair of snapping bamboo poles.

Escondido Public Library also presents the following upcoming events in celebration of the 2014 One Book, One San Diego program:

Children around the World: the Philippines, Thursday, November 13, 2014, in the Turrentine Room from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Cora Cooks Pancit, by Dorina K Lazo Gilmore, the 2014 One Book, One San Diego children’s selection, will be the featured book, along with a program that promotes Filipino history, culture, crafts, and music. This program is targeted for children ages 6 to 10.

As a grand finale, Lysley Tenorio, author of Monstress, will make his only North County appearance at Escondido Public Library on Monday, November 17, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Turrentine Room. KPBS is promoting this event and reservations will be required. More information on how to secure a reservation will be announced on KPBS.org in the near future.

Programs for Escondido Public Library’s participation in 2014 One Book, One San Diego are supported by Friends of the Escondido Public Library and KPBS. All Library programs are free and open to the public. Escondido Public Library is located at 239 South Kalmia Street in downtown Escondido. For more information on 2014 One Book, One San Diego programs at Escondido Public Library, contact Paul Crouthamel at 760-839-4814. To learn more about Escondido Public Library’s events and services, visit library.escondido.org.